Abstract
The research project titled "Development of a Tele Mental Health System for
Higher Education Students" was developed in response to the increasingly severe
mental health problems among higher education students, which continue to impact
their daily lives, academic performance, and access to social support services. Significant
barriers to addressing student mental health issues include shortages of qualified
personnel, constraints related to time and location, social stigma, and limited access to
mental health services. This research aimed to develop a tele mental health system
(KKU Tele Mental Health) for Khon Kaen University students to enhance service
accessibility, reduce barriers, and establish continuity in mental health care, while
synthesizing policy recommendations at the institutional level.
This research employed a research and development design, conducted
between February 2025 and April 2026, divided into four phases. Phase 1 explored user
needs through four focus group discussions with 17 participants and a quantitative
survey with 280 participants. Phase 2 developed and tested the prototype system with
30 students. Phase 3 implemented a trial of the actual system with a sample of 110
participants, divided into a control group of 53 participants and an experimental group
of 57 participants, evaluated using standardized instruments including the Generalized
Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Stress Test-5 (ST-5), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9),
Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Phase 4 synthesized
policy recommendations through a workshop with 30 stakeholders. Data were analyzed
using descriptive statistics, calculating percentages, means, and standard deviations, as
well as Chi-square tests, Paired t-tests, and independent samples t-tests.
The findings from Phase 1 revealed that 88.93% of students recognized the
benefits of a telemental health system, prioritizing an easy-to-use platform and
qualified counselors. Notably, 57.14% showed depressive symptoms and 58.93 %
experienced moderate to high stress, confirming the need for more accessible mental
health care. In Phase 2 , the team developed "KKU Tele Mental Health," a web
application covering four core functions: self-screening for stress, anxiety, and
depression using standard tools (GAD-7 , ST-5 , PHQ-9 , ISI); online counseling by a
multidisciplinary team; personalized mental health educational content; and referral
with continuous follow-up care connected across counselors, faculty offices, and
university health services. A pilot study with 30 students showed very high satisfaction
(Mean = 4.73 ). Phase 3 found that the experimental group showed statistically
significant reductions in anxiety, stress, and depression (p < 0.001) , with increased
energy levels. Although between-group differences were not statistically significant
(Difference-in-Differences = −1.10 points), the system performed comparably to
traditional services and proved to be a valuable complement to face-to-face care.
Longer-term studies are still needed. Phase 4 produced six policy recommendations:
establishing the system as the university's official platform, promoting equal access
including for international students, managing data under PDPA standards, building staff
capacity in online counseling, improving system stability, and setting clear
compensation guidelines to ensure sustainable counselor availability.
